Overview & Reviews

Chrysler is generally considered part of the Big Three, a title that refers to the traditional triumvirate of domestic automakers. The current accuracy of this classification is open for debate, but there's no debating the fact that Chrysler has experienced a revival of sorts over the past few years.

Chrysler Corporation was founded in 1925 by Walter P. Chrysler, a noted machinist; he'd purchased the Maxwell Motor Corporation of Detroit and used it as the foundation for his new company. The automaker quickly earned a reputation for advanced engineering. In 1928, Chrysler Corporation expanded with the purchase of Dodge and the creation of the DeSoto and Plymouth divisions.

The 1930s saw Chrysler boldly looking toward the future with the introduction of its revolutionary Airflow. Powered by a front-mounted inline-8, the car was one of the first to be designed with aerodynamics in mind, and featured swooping lines and a prominent grille. Perhaps a bit too ahead of its time, the Airflow was a flop with the public. Chrysler was able to survive the lean years of the Depression thanks to strong sales of its entry-level Dodge and Plymouth brands, whose vehicles boasted more traditional designs and much lower price tags.

Chrysler shined postwar. For a period in the late 1940s, it even surpassed Ford as the No. 2 U.S. automaker. The company's storied "Hemi" V8 engine debuted in 1951. Offering 180 horsepower, it was a significant improvement over Chrysler's previous 135-hp V8. The Hemi engine was meant to trounce the V8 offered by Cadillac, Chrysler's rival, and it kick-started Detroit's horsepower race of the 1950s and '60s. The '50s also saw the debut of treasured Chrysler classics like the handsome Town and Country and the sleek 300C.

By 1961, Chrysler had trimmed its line of brands by dropping the DeSoto nameplate. New technologies were also afoot, such as unibody construction (Chrysler was the first of the Big Three to introduce it) and the replacement of generators with alternators for a car's charging system. In the latter half of the '60s, Chrysler was heavily involved with NASCAR and producing performance-oriented cars.

At the same time, however, dark clouds were gathering. As with other domestic automakers, the 1970s proved to be a difficult decade due to the oil crisis, new government regulations and changing consumer tastes. A costly and ineffective overseas expansion further hurt the company's bottom line. By the late '70s, the company was in such financial disarray that it petitioned the government for $1.5 billion in loan guarantees to save it from bankruptcy.

Thanks to impressive public campaigning by then-chairman Lee Iacocca, the debut of the well-received K-car platform and the creation of the modern minivan, sales had improved dramatically by the mid-'80s. The government's loan was paid off seven years early. The picture further brightened in the late 1980s with Chrysler's purchase of American Motors Corporation (which netted the company the Jeep brand) and a joint venture with Mitsubishi known as Diamond Star Motors.

Success continued through the early 1990s. In 1998, German-based Daimler-Benz merged with Chrysler to form DaimlerChrysler. At the time, this deal was presented as a merger of equals. But it quickly became apparent that it was more of a purchase, with Daimler being the dominant partner.

Less than a decade later, that merger was no longer, as Daimler sold Chrysler (and Dodge) to a private equity firm in 2007. However, that merger had borne some worthwhile fruit, most notably in the form of the Chrysler 300 full-size sedan. The latter shared some chassis components with an older Mercedes-Benz E-Class platform.

As such, the 300 was a highlight for Chrysler that had a pleasingly solid feel to its driving dynamics that was further sweetened via an available powerful V8 engine. But soon after the split, America's economy slid into recession. Due to poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy and the federal government intervened with bailout loans. Eventually Chrysler came under control of Italy's Fiat.

Today, the lineup has been pared down to a pair of sedans, a convertible and a minivan. However, after years of having lackluster entries in the very important midsize car category, Chrysler made major improvements in the performance, design and quality of its midsize sedan entry, the 200. The latest 300 also stands as a prime choice for a premium full-size sedan. Still, it remains to be seen as to whether this and future product releases will be enough to restore the company to its former glory.

User Reviews:

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  Excellent car! - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By elenav4 - July 24 - 2:00 am

  A great family car. Something you can feel young in and safe!

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  Excellent from all perspective - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By shubham - July 23 - 1:50 am

  Excellent style, handling, interiors, comforts, safety, quality. Too good to be true for the price I paid. Am just delighted to get this car as my partner for my business tours as well as safety of my family on short and long drives.

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  Do I love this car.......... YES - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By fourtysmthing - July 21 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car. I read the reviews and will have to agree that this is one of the best cars I have owned. Mine is loaded with all the goodies. Mileage I just got on a trip south averaged 21 miles per gallon. The fit and finish is up to German quality, the Navagation is very helpful and easy to use. Air control can be adjusted side to side and front to back. Leather is much better than my Ford Excursion. Motor has plenty of pep, this is not a sports car for those who feel it is lacking. Highspeed manuvering has a bit of tail wag. Did I mention that I love this car ?

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  The Lang account - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Lang - July 21 - 7:40 am

  I love to drive it around every where. Every where I go I get comments about how good it looks. It drives smooth and has awesome pick-up.Its a great little car with plenty of space in the back seat.

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  Good Car - 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By BigCougar - July 18 - 4:06 pm

  I have the dream cruiser. I roll up my front and rear windows on the dash board. Unusual, but you get used to it. When I need the power I speed around other cars and leave them in the dust. I let it hang out around the curves. It is fun to drive. Mileage is not too good, but then what do you expect from a car with a turbo. It give me great performance. If you are looking for mileage conseder something else.

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  Why Im surprised - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Surprised also - July 17 - 2:00 am

  Back in the mid 80s I had bought a couple Chryslers and was basically very disappointed with the reliability, but boy have these cars come a long way since then! It has really been a pleasantry to see my 300M never break down the 90000 miles I have driven it. I have very much been impressed.

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  Concorde Limited Great Car! - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By rbuzz - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Nice clean lines. Smooth looking dash, all the bells and whistles anyone could want, standard. Great abs,4wheel disc brakes for a car this size. Killer 360watt stereo and CD changer. Just turn the key and go. The car does everything for you automatically. Very smooth ride. Plenty of pep with the 250hp high output engine. No problem getting on the freeway with this baby!

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  susies review - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By susie schnauzer - July 15 - 10:00 am

  This has been the most fun and dependable car I hav ever owned. I bought it because of its retro look. I have NO problems at all with it.

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  FANTASTIC !!! - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Pammie - July 15 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car used and its the best thing I could have ever bought. I absolutely LOVE it. Handles good, tho the U-turn capability is somewhat limited. I will definitely buy another one.

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  Fun Ride - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Dede - July 15 - 10:00 am

  We have only had this car for about 2 weeks, and have been loving every minute of it! The ride is very smooth, and it handles very well not only on the expressway, but on country roads! The gas milage could be a little better, but we figure when it breaks in a little bit, that will improve. The handling is very responsive. The design and fuctionality of the vehicle is top notch! So far we are very impressed with everything about the car!